Funeral held for fallen Chicago Police Officer Luis Huesca

CHICAGO - The life and legacy of fallen Chicago Police Officer Luis M. Huesca was honored at his funeral Monday on the city's Southwest Side.

Funeral services for Huesca were held in St. Rita of Cascia Shrine Chapel, located at 7740 S. Western Ave. A private interment at Rosehill Cemetery will follow.

On April 21, Huesca was shot and killed in Gage Park while he was on his way home from work.

The 30-year-old was just two days shy of his 31st birthday and was with the department for six years. Huesca graduated from Plainfield East High School in 2011. Last week, school staff remembered the officer.

"His school counselor, a teacher, a social studies teacher that had him. So we all remember him the same. Really, always smiling, kind of shy and introverted, but always positive and just a really good-hearted person," said Heather Boswell, assistant principal.

Huesca was close friends with Officer Andres Vasquez Lasso, who was killed in a domestic dispute last year. Huesca was also assigned to the same station, CPD's District 5, where Officer Areanah Preston worked. Preston was killed in a robbery attempt last year as well.

Fellow officer Lucia Chavez said during Monday's service that she was friends with Vásquez Lasso and Huesca.

"When we were at the academy, I remember ... that during our training the instructor said ‘this uniform makes us family. If one fell, we all fell,’" Chavez said. "I didn't understand that. Now, I do. I lost Andrés first. And now, Luis. I lost my two classmates, my best friends, my brothers. The violence in this city took them away from me, from us."

Mayor Brandon Johnson announced Monday morning he would not attend Huesca's funeral after the fallen officer's mother requested he not make an appearance.

"We continue to send our deepest condolences to the family and colleagues of Officer Luis Huesca as they heal from the loss of their beloved son, nephew, brother and friend," Johnson said in a statement. "As mayor, I vow to continue supporting our police and first responders, uniting our city and remaining committed to working with everyone towards building a better, stronger, safer Chicago."

"My heart is with the Huesca family today. God bless them and God bless the City of Chicago."

Police Superintendent Larry Snelling said Huesca "left an impression."

"He was always trying to leave things better than he found them," Snelling said. "The protection of others is what he wanted every single day."

Huesca's procession began at Blake & Lamb Funeral Home and continued eastbound on 103rd Street to Western Avenue, then northbound on Western Avenue to St. Rita.

Parking restrictions were in place along the processional route from the church service to the cemetery.

The procession route from St. Rita to Rosehill Cemetery included:

• East on 77th Street to Western Avenue
• South on Western Avenue to 79th Street
• East on 79th Street to State Street
• North on State Street, merge onto I-94 West
• North on I-94 West, local lanes
• Exit 53C, I-55 North / Lake Shore Drive / 22nd Street
• Exit right to I-55 North to North Lake Shore Drive
• Exit U.S. Route 41 / North Lake Shore Drive
• North on DuSable Lake Shore Drive to Bryn Mawr Avenue
• West on Bryn Mawr Avenue to Ravenswood Avenue

Huesca was born in Chicago's Avondale community. He earned his bachelor's degree in business administration at the University of Illinois at Chicago, according to his obituary.

He is survived by his parents, Emiliano and Edith Huesca; a sister, Liliana O'Brien; and a brother, Emiliano Huesca Jr.

A $100,000 reward has been offered for information leading to the arrest of 22-year-old Xavier L. Tate Jr., who is wanted for first-degree murder in Huesca's death.

Tate is considered "armed and dangerous," according to CPD. Anyone who spots him should call 911 and not approach him.

Anyone with more information on his whereabouts is urged to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-535-7867. Tipsters can also submit information online anonymously at CPDTip.com.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.